Designated Survivor (TV Series)

Grief (2018)

Zoe McLellan: Kendra Daynes

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Quotes 

• Tom Kirkman : Kendra, what's the legality of military action against rebels in another country?

  Kendra Daynes : If American lives are at stake, the rules of war will allow it, sir, especially if the foreign sovereign is unwilling or unable to act.

  Tom Kirkman : And with President Ortega, am I correct in assuming the latter?

  Lyor Boone : No, it's both. I mean, he doesn't have the firepower, but even if he did, he can't be seen as actively helping America to attack Cuban citizens, even those that oppose him. His grip on power's loose enough as it is.

  Senator Sanchez : But he won't stand in our way. I've interfaced with his top advisors. Ortega has given us access to his ports.

  Tom Kirkman : General, is it your opinion that military action will secure the safe release of the hostages?

  General : Sir, our consensus is that the show of overwhelming force will bring the rebels to heel.

  Tom Kirkman : But you can't guarantee it.

• Emily Rhodes : So you told the president there's no legal bar to ransom.

  Kendra Daynes : Correct. The executive branch has absolute discretion.

  Emily Rhodes : Which would set a dangerous precedent by exercising.

  Lyor Boone : [joining them]  Yeah, which is exactly what I just told him.

  Emily Rhodes : Well, what did he say?

  Lyor Boone : That America has never faced the possible execution of hostages, including six Senators and five Congressmen, that he'd rather be criticized for how he kept them alive than how he let them die.

  Kendra Daynes : And what did you say?

  Lyor Boone : That the old Tom Kirkman would have advocated military action, that his tentative behavior could wind up getting more people killed.

  Emily Rhodes : You did not tell him that.

  Lyor Boone : Of course not. I like my job.

• Emily Rhodes : Okay, so if it's ransom, we need Congressional support. Senator Sanchez is our power broker here.

  Lyor Boone : Yeah, she's on her way.

  Kendra Daynes : [Emily glances at Aaron's empty office]  We're getting Aaron back.

  Lyor Boone : Yeah, safe and sound.

  Emily Rhodes : Let's make it happen.